Stakeholder  groups  that  support  the  conservation  of  biodiversity  for  food

This section provides a list of major institutes and organizations that support the conservation of the biodiversity for food and agriculture in Norway, including associated biodiversity species and species of wild food resources.

9.2.2.1 Agriculture,  forestry  and  fisheries  

The Norwegian institute of bioeconomy research (NIBIO) conducts applied research linked to multifunctional agriculture and rural development, plant sciences, environmental protection and natural resource management. The institute’s objective is to provide industries, governments and consumers with new knowledge, services and solutions within these scientific fields. NIBIO also gives high priority to International collaboration with respect to the conservation of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

NIBIO conducts research and provides information about forests, soils, outlying fields and landscapes. It also manages a range of national mapping programs and resource inventories related to land cover, forestry, agriculture, landscape and the environment. The institute shares its knowledge with the authorities, the private sector and the general public to contribute to the sustainable management of and value creation based on land resources.

Within NIBIO, the Norwegian Genetic Resource Centre coordinates expertise and activities regarding the conservation and utilization of national genetic resources. The centre has been commissioned to contribute to the effective management of genetic resources in farm animals, crops and forest trees. It also acts as an advisory body to the Norwegian Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The Norwegian Farmers and Smallholders Union (Norsk Bonde- og Småbrukarlag) is a politically independent organization that works to improve the economic and social conditions in agriculture, including by participating in the annual agricultural agreement negotiations. The organization's areas of focus include increased food production, economic development, local breeding, animal welfare and dynamic cultural landscapes. The Union has about 7,000 members.

The Norwegian Farmers' Union (Norges Bondelag) is Norway’s largest trade union for farmers. It aims to improve conditions for agriculture (e.g. it negotiates with the State on farmer income opportunities on an annual basis) and to enhance agriculture's importance to society. The Union is financially and politically independent and counts 60,500 members.

Oikos - Økologisk Norge is a non-governmental organization that was founded to establish a national movement of organic producers and consumers in Norway and strengthen its voice in Norwegian politics, economics and social life. Next to promoting the production and consumption of organic food, the organization also contributes to raising awareness on the importance of associated biodiversity in food production systems, such as of soil biodiversity.

The Biodynamic Association (Biologisk-dynamisk Forening) works to spread knowledge on dynamic farming and to increase the number of farmers that produce dynamic foods. In bio-dynamic farming, great importance is attached to biodiversity within the agricultural landscape and a minimum of 10% of the total farm acreage is set-aside to preserve biodiversity.

The Norwegian Garden Association (Norske Hageselskap) is an independent environmental organization that aims to promote gardening, sustainable horticulture and green surroundings through the dissemination of information. The association has approximately 25,000 members.

The Norwegian Fishermen's Association (Norges Fiskarlag) is the professional fishermen's union and business organization. It was founded in 1926. The association is politically independent and is based on the voluntary membership of fishermen. It has approximately 5700 members.

Through the Ark of Taste initiative, the Slow Food Foundation globally collects small-scale quality productions that belong to the cultures, history and traditions. This initiative was created to point out the existence of special products, draw attention to the risk of their extinction and invite everyone to take action to help protect them. In 2014, 10 of the 2020 products that were admitted to the international Slow Food Foundation's Ark of Taste were Norwegian, including 3 edible plants/crops (Angelica ‘Vossakvann’, Garden pea ‘Jærert’ and Turnip ‘Målselvnepe’), 2 livestock breeds (Telemark cattle and and Villsau sheep), two cheese products (Artisan Sognefjord Geitost and Hedmark and Oppland Counties Pultost) and three fish related products (Baccala from Møre

og Romsdal, Cured and Smoked Herring from Sunnmøre and Stockfish from the Isle of Sørøya).

For more information on these products see: http://www.slowfoodfoundation.com/ark#risultati

9.2.2.2 Associated  biodiversity  and  wild  foods  

Founded in 1914, the Nature Conservation Association (Naturvernforbundet) is the oldest

environmental protection organization in Norway. The association focuses on environmental issues related to area conservation, climate change, energy and transport. It has about 20,000 members.

The Norwegian Biodiversity Network (SABIMA) is an umbrella NGO working to strengthen the protection of biodiversity in Norway. It influences political and other processes to improve the conditions for biodiversity in Norway. SABIMA focuses on better legislation, more sustainable use of resources, and more robust and comprehensive management systems.

The in 1988 established Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) is responsible for long-term strategic research and commissioned applied research to facilitate the implementation of international conventions, decision-support systems and management tools, as well as to enhance public awareness and promote conflict resolution. NINA offers broad-based ecological expertise covering the genetic, population, species, ecosystem and landscape level, in terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal marine environments. NINA is, among others, experienced in dealing with natural and human aspects of resource and biodiversity management.

The State of the Environment in Norway (Miljøstatus i Norge) provides regularly updated information on the state of the environment in Norway, including on relevant laws and

agreements. It also keeps an overview of the national environmental objectives and is administered by the Norwegian Environment Agency.

The Norwegian Association of Fungi and Useful Plants (Norges sopp-og nyttevekstforbund) is the umbrella organization for the country's various fungal associations and crop associations. At present, the organization has about 3800 members. The association aims to (i.) increase the use and knowledge of mushrooms and herbs; (ii.) facilitate the collection of mushrooms and herbs;

(iii.) participate in efforts to conserve biodiversity in nature and to advise on species interactions with other organisms and their beneficial and harmful effects; and (iv.) work for both public and scientific interest in the fields of mushrooms and herbs.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Norway aims to protect and preserve the values of nature and its biodiversity in marine and coastal areas, in fresh water and on land. The organization also continuously works to improving Norway's climate and energy related policies and laws.

The in 1957 founded Norwegian Ornithological Society (NOF) aims to protect birds and their habitats in Norway and to influence any related developments through research and

documentation.

9.2.3 Cooperation  between  different  stakeholders  to  implement  national